Saudi Arabia Pushes for Last-minute Dialogue on Iraqi Issue

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, January 14, 2003

Saudi Arabia Pushes for Last-minute Dialogue on Iraqi Issue

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Saudi Arabia's cabinet stressedon Monday that a chance should be given to a dialogue even if the United Nations Security Council issues a resolution to launch a war against Iraq, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

"The kingdom asks for allowing an opportunity for dialogue even if the United Nations decides on war" the cabinet said in a statement issued after its weekly session.

"This is an Arab demand to give diplomatic action a chance to spare the region human disaster caused by war," the statement added.

If a war takes place, it will be a loss for all, the statement warned.

Expressing the kingdom's extreme concern over the development ofthe situation in Iraq, the cabinet also reaffirmed the kingdom's commitment to Iraq's unity and territorial integrity as part of the Arab and Muslim world.

On Sunday, Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz, the de facto ruler of the oil-rich kingdom, said in an interview with NBC in its "Today" program that he remains hopeful that a war in Iraq can be avoided, adding that he believes that the US policy in the Middle East "is tilted toward Israel."

The crown prince again denied that his country is a breeding ground for terrorists.

Saudi Arabia, a key regional ally of the United States, has publicly rejected a war and expressed opposition to being made a launch pad for a possible military strike against Iraq.

On Saturday night, Saudi Foreign Minister Saud Al-Faisal stated that even if the United Nations asks the Kingdom to participate in a US-led war on Iraq, its response will depend on the forthcoming report by UN inspectors inside Iraq and what is in the best interests of Saudi Arabia.

"We will struggle for a diplomatic solution until the last hour," the minister said.

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